The Vlad Tepes Fortress in Poenari (Argeş County) was reopened to visitors this week after extensive conservation and restoration work, Agerpres reported specifically for BTA.
The fortress, located in the administrative territory of Arefu Municipality, is built on a mountain peak, at the entrance to the Argeş Gorge, near the national road “DN 7C – Transfagarasan“, with tourists reaching it via 1,480 steps arranged along the slope, through the forest. The fortress was originally built in the 14th century, and was consolidated and expanded during the reign of Vlad Tepes.
„As of today, the county's most famous tourist attraction, the one that attracts over 100,000 tourists a year, both from the country and abroad, is reopened. From the first minutes of the opening, dozens of tourists climbed, together with officials, the 1,480 steps that lead to the fortress (...)“, said a statement from the Arges County Council.
The route of the steps was also climbed by a group of tourists from Switzerland – the first visitors from abroad since the fortress reopened.
The opening event began with a unique artistic moment – a monologue delivered by the actor Puiu Margescu from the “Alexandru Davila“ theatre, who played Vlad Tepes, together with several beautiful ladies dressed in feudal costumes.
The conservation and restoration works lasted for three years, during which time the monument could not be visited.
The project “Conservation and consolidation of the Poenari Argeș Fortress“ received grant funding under Priority Axis No. 5 – Improvement of the urban environment and preservation, protection and sustainable valorization of cultural heritage. The total value of the financing contract is over 25 million lei (about 9.8 million leva), of which 9,647,565 lei (about 3.8 million leva) is a grant, and 16,021,201.29 lei (about 6.3 million leva) is the beneficiary's contribution.
The project will contribute to the development of the community and will lead to an increase in the tourist and investment attractiveness of the region, to the affirmation of cultural identity and to economic and socio-cultural revitalization.
„The Poenari Fortress was built during the period of the creation of the feudal states of Wallachia and Moldavia (13th-15th centuries) out of the need to protect the independence gained, but also because of the Turkish threat. Poenari Fortress, owned by Arges County, under the management of the Arges County Museum, is classified as a category A historical monument – of national and international importance“, the press release also says.
Poenari Fortress can be visited every day between 10:00 and 18:00, with the last group being able to climb at 17:00. The entrance ticket price is 30 lei (about 12 lv.) for adults and 20 lei (about 8 lv.) for schoolchildren, students, pensioners. Tickets can be purchased both physically on the territory of the fortress and online, through the tourist card - ARGES TOURIST PASS.